Tell me why I don't want another doodle

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Well, Yogi is now 7 1/2 months old he had been the very best puppy ever. I've wanted to get another doodle since I first thought about him.
DH said go for it this morning. So give me your best reasons I shouldn't do this. I thought I'd like to get one within the next 6 months so they will be near the same age and maybe also a little smaller like 25#'s. His mom and dad have been bred together again and due in another month or so.

Tell me why it's a bad idea ;-)
... Or if you must, why it's a good idea. Thanks!!!!!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Rosemary,
Haha. Thanks! I've never had a two dog family so everyone's input is valuable. I was thinking of waiting until the Yogster is 1, but seeing his parents bred again makes me a littler more anxious. Plus I don't think I want to get another puppy and go through the winter hourly potty runs again. I'm still mulling it over though, don't want to rush into it.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

It is a really big decision and I know I had to give it a lot of thought, even though my family was ready! Honestly I was almost sick to my stomach over making the right choice, lol! I fretted over picking the right personality so not to rock easy going Jack's world while wanting the new one to love her new home. Fast forward almost a year and a half now and I couldn't imagine it any other way! Go with your gut and you'll know you're making the right decision! Good luck!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Awwww. Thanks Janie

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm coming in late to this discussion, but I thought I would add my thoughts on why we are a one dog household. It can be summed up pretty well in bullet points

-Double the expense, which we can't afford

-Darwin is a very easy going well behaved doodle. We don't want to "rock the boat" with a situation that works so well

-We like being able to take Darwin places and travel with him. This becomes much more difficult with 2 dogs.

-We like being able to dote on Darwin as our only dog

There are other reasons but those are the main ones. There are lots of pros to a second doodle too though... 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Camilla: I have actually considered your 3 and 4.  Enzo goes everywhere with us and suddenly including another may or may not make it more difficult  Like you said, things are working out so well around here" rocking the boat", "throwing a wrench into the works", all does cause me to second guess myself.

 In the past, when we had our multiple dogs....4 Goldens at one point, kids were in the picture as well.  Taking EVERYONE somewhere was not an option....so dang....at that time, I chose the kids to take on outings and the dogs all stayed home. ;)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I won't lie and say it's always been clear cut for me - but time and time again I come back to the same conclusion. For the reasons listed above and others, it's the best option for us.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think the biggest drawback to multiple dogs is that you can't take them with you as often.  I envy that Ro can take Enzo everywhere because  one dog is so doable.  We are not taking our dogs with us as often as we could - I could chose a dog for the day and do it, but I can't ever choose just one....

[Deborah Brown]

We have three now so I can compare single doodle life to the current status quo.  Here's what I miss about having a single doodle:

Being able to dote on him.  No worry that everything is "fair".

Going on vacation to the beach, surviving a long car ride and hotel stays.

Going to outdoor cafes.

Basically having my dog accompany me wherever I go.

Having a calm easy going dog.  Once we added Wayne, Charlie became protective of him.

So instead of getting a puppy, why not look at rescues?  You could foster another doodle and see how it works out.  Sometimes its a good fit, sometimes not so much.  With a mature dog, you'd know the temperament, coat, etc.  No guesses!  Rescues can make wonderful additions to a doodle family.  They are just so darn happy to have someone to love them and another dog to play with.  

[DJ & Chance]

I would love to have two doodles but know that I shouldn't and won't.  Chance fills my life with such joy, and sometimes I think he would love having a playmate to hang out with and that I would love watching my two furry friends play, sleep together, etc. But I have a demanding job with lots of travel and know that caring for and loving Chance is all that I can handle at this point in my life.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I haven't read through all the responses (wow! 7 pages worth!), but my best advice is to wait until Yogi is at least 2 yrs old. It will make training the 2nd so much easier. The first will basically train the 2nd by example.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Deb,
I've considered the wait, but I wonder if I want the Yogster to wait that long for a playmate. He really is a very well behaved/trained puppy. It's like he's not a puppy the way he behaves. Do you think waiting outweighs the advantages of them being more on the same playing field in terms of energy and playfulness?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Dogs of two are full of energy and totally playful, so that shouldn't be a worry at all.  I think spacing your dogs is much like spacing your kids.  Whatever you think/chose for kid spacing is probably the right dog spacing also - for you.